Today, Vancouver, the busiest port in Canada, welcomes 40,000 seafarers from around the world annually.

Since 1981, Lighthouse Harbour Ministries has been a beacon of hope to seafarers from across the globe. Now we are reaching out through this website to seafarers to fulfill our mission—to love and honour God by serving the seafarers of the world in word and deed.

Please take the time to explore our website and learn more about our ministry and the men we serve.

Russian Invasion 

By Teus Kappers

With just a few feet of clearance under the Lions Gate Bridge the Russian tall ship Kruzenshtern sailed proudly into the Vancouver harbour. It came to the Lower Mainland recently in conjunction with the 2010 winter games.

One of the largest tall ships in the world, the Kruzenshtern is a four master which was built in1926. It was constructed as a cargo ship in Bremen, Germany and was taken by Russia as war loot after the Second World War. Well maintained, this barge is now used as an officer training vessel for those wanting to enter Russia’s fishing fleet. One hundred and twenty of these officer hopefuls are supplemented by a regular crew of nearly eighty men and women. After boarding this ship, a visitor (especially one like me at 6’7”) is struck by the lack of head room. Once aboard it was impossible to walk upright.

For the entire duration of the Olympics, the Kruzenshtern was moored opposite the Lighthouse Seafarers Centre in North Vancouver. Daily, many of the crew visited the Centre and made use of the telephone, email/internet and other facilities. These visitors loved the cookies that were served at the Mission (consuming about 30kg of them and also several boxes of sugar cubes).

With the support of Willingdon Church’s Russian ministry, a musical night (with beautiful Russian Christian music filling the Centre) and sports evening were organized and well attended. The Willingdon ministry gave testimonies and even the Russian press was on hand to make sure that pictures were taken and sent to the seafarers’ families back at home.

Willingdon Church and the Vancouver Aquarium also helped make the Russian seafarers time in Vancouver memorable by providing, respectively, a free bus and driver and the venue for over 140 sailors to enjoy viewing the sea life.

One particular highlight of the Russian ship’s visit occurred on a Sunday evening when my wife, Maria, hosted thirteen ladies from the ship for a home made salmon dinner. Following the meal, Maria gave her testimony and it visibly moved many of those present. As a result of that evening one lady requested a private meeting with Maria. A few days later the two met and the lady trusted in the Lord Jesus for salvation.

Reflecting on the visit of the tall ship, I can’t help but think back to the time when, while boarding Soviet ships, we often heard the response nyet (“no”) to our ministry. How things have changed. God changes things!